5 Things To Know Today: August 24

Sunday is not a day of rest for the Eagles who are back on the practice field for another training session today. Our live coverage begins at 11:15 AM as coordinator Bill Davis details the state of the defense. Following the training session, join us again as running back LeSean McCoy's and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin's press conferences are streamed live. We wrap up the entire day's worth of news on Inside Training Camp presented by Xfinity at 5 PM ...

Tackle Lane Johnson said that he will not be allowed at the NovaCare Complex starting a week from Monday due to his four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. This week will be critical for Johnson to get as much work in as possible before missing the first month of the season.

"It's big. I was out there running behind LeSean (McCoy) to get in a little bit extra better shape," Johnson said. "This game (Thursday against the Jets) will be big, try to play hard this last game and try to execute well. That's the biggest thing heading into this week."

While away from the team, Johnson said that he's still allowed to have his iPad to watch meetings and practices. He plans to get together with guard Todd Herremans every Monday to stay mentally sharp and will train in nearby Cherry Hill, N.J.

After Thursday's preseason win over the Steelers, head coach Chip Kelly said that the team is still trying “find out who the third running back is going to be." Running back Chris Polk, who entered Training Camp firmly entrenched in that spot, has missed the entire preseason with a hamstring injury. Polk returned to training on Saturday.

"Obviously I missed a lot so I have to put my best foot forward and show (Kelly), like, I’m here. I’m the real deal," said Polk, who is unsure whether he will play against the Jets on Thursday.

"I can’t control (injuries), so I’m very optimistic. It could be a blessing in disguise. Maybe (the injury) gave me time to work on my shoulder and gave me time to work on other areas, whether it’s studying, getting stronger, faster, whatever. I’m definitely just taking positives out of everything. It just really slowed down and really put everything in perspective for me."

3. Henery Expects To Bounce Back

Alex Henery is only 1-for-3 during the preseason and is coming off a missed 31-yarder in the Eagles’ 31-21 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Though he doesn’t want to dwell on the misses, Henery says he’s learned to be mentally tough after three seasons in the NFL.

“I think I’m pretty mentally strong,” Henery said Saturday. “I feel like I’ve moved past those (misses), but in the end you also want to remember them so you know what you’re working on, what you need to improve on so when there’s a game situation like that, it doesn’t happen again.”

But Henery now faces perhaps the stiffest competition he’s ever faced for his spot on the Eagles. The Eagles acquired Cody Parkey from the Colts on Wednesday, and Kelly has made it clear that the team needs to find consistency at the position.

“There’s always someone out there trying to steal your job,” Henery said. “It’s one of those things where you try to get better every day no matter who else is here or anything like that.”

4. Foles: Difference In Barkley Is "Night And Day"

Quarterback Nick Foles will trade a helmet for a baseball cap on Thursday night and cheer on Matt Barkley, who will start a game of any kind for the first time since his senior season at USC. Foles has seen Barkley make a lot of progress in his second season with the team.

"Matt looks great. He's done a great job through OTAs, through Training Camp and through the preseason," said Foles. "You can see a night-and-day difference. He looks a lot more comfortable. He knows where he's going with the ball and he delivers it with accuracy, with precision. You can see the confidence out there. He's a great leader. I'm excited to see him play."